Pages

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Green….fresh, environmentally friendly! The National Forest Service here in CO sells tree cutting permits every year to help thin out the forest for healthy forest growth and regrowth. Here are some links if you are here in CO to obtain a permit Pikes Peak National Forest - Woodland Park Area Permit Info or Front Range. If you are out of state, check with your local Nation Forest!

Each year, we head up to the mountains to cut down our fresh Christmas tree. This has been a family tradition since the 1st year we moved to CO. It is a day we cherish! We always stop by to take a pic with Smokey as we enter into the National Forest cutting area. And then off we go……

Mmmmmm…..the smell of fresh bread! I usually time my weekly loaf of bread to come out at lunch time. There is nothing better than a PB&J on this warm bread =) with a glass of milk.

I have experimented with so many recipes for a whole wheat sandwich bread that would come out just right. Now, just right for each of us is different but this one is pretty close for us. I have not changed up this recipe for a while now. So, I guess we are pretty happy with it. We use this bread for toast, sandwiches (mostly grilled), French toast…..pretty much anything.

Here is the recipe with a disclaimer I use this recipe at above 6,000 feet so you may need to adjust water and/or yeast.

Whole Wheat Sandwich Bread

Ingredients

4 cups Whole Wheat Bread Flour (a hard red wheat is best for bread)

1 cup Oats

2 Tbls Ground Flax (optional)

2 cups Warm Water

2 tsps. Yeast

1/4 cup Honey (raw, unfiltered & local is best)

2 tsps. Fine Sea Salt

3 Tbls Olive Oil

Directions

Warm water and add yeast and honey in a glass cup or bowl and let sit for 3-5 min until frothy.

In bread pan, add Sea Salt and Olive Oil

Next, add water, yeast and honey mixture into bread pan.

Add WW Flour, Oats and Flax if using

Close bread machine and set for (depending on your bread machine options) 2 lb. loaf, Whole Wheat with light crust.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

“Mom, what is that feeling in my belly?” Butterflies?! It is so fun to watch our kiddos grow and learn everyday. Today we got to talk about that feeling in your belly….nerves! I never realized that little ones don’t really know what that feeling is. It’s totally normal Crew.

He was awesome! Although, when he sees this video he notices all his mistakes. “Mom, I couldn’t get started, I missed a chord,….” Me “Crew your 6 years old and you are amazing!”

He has been taking lessons for approx. 6 months (collectively). We had to take a break after his first piano teacher moved away until we found a new one. We love Ms. Rebekah and are so thankful and blessed to have her in our lives!

This is his first time playing on a Baby Grand piano and he said “It feels so heavy!” We only have a keyboard at home but something tells me that will change .

Monday, November 7, 2011

Crew & Goose wrap up the season with a duathlon! Goose’s 1st official race since they allowed 4 year olds =). Okay, the day was really for Dad but they got in on the fun too. Mike’s last triathlon for the season turned into a duathlon due to weather. Water temps are tooooo cold!

Run

Bike

Run

What a beautiful place we live in!!

Way to end the season! I am so very proud of all Mike’s dedication and hard work. You are awesome Honey!

Ready to race!

Bike

Run….she is signing “I love you!” Seriously the sweetest girl ever!

So, Crew was too fast for me to keep up and take pictures! He finished 5th and Goose finished 7th overall 2nd for the girls.

So proud and blessed to love, nurture and teach these two little amazing people!